Ex-Dalit Minister's supporters seek re-instatement

Puducherry, Feb 25 (UNI) In an interesting development, people from Thirubhuvanai Constituency of Congress MLA P Angalan today demanded his re-instatement as minister.

In a memorandum to Chief Minister N Rangasamy,they demanded the continuation in office of Health Minister E Valsaraj despite corruption cases being registered against him Mr Angalan, who was the Welfare Minister, was asked to step down when a case was registered against him on a complaint from his wife.

They described the removal of the lone Dalit Minister within six months of his induction into the Cabinet as injustice while allowing a higher caste man (Mr Valsaraj) to continue despite corruption cases against him.

Mr Angalan's wife had lodged a complaint against him with the police, Lt Governor and the Chief Minister citing his relationship with another woman and a case was registered against him.